Kerala seeks Rs 1,151 crore aid to deal land issues of SC/ST

NEW DELHI: Kerala has requested an assistance of Rs 1,151 crore from the Centre for providing land for 30,698 landless families in the state.

Kerala Minister for Law and SC/ST Development A K Balan met Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Thawar Chand Gehlot on Monday and also sought assistance for the 26,210 homeless people in the state.

"According to a survey conducted by Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA), there are 30,698 landless families and 26,210 homeless people in the state. State provides an assistance of Rs 3 lakh for house construction which itself creates a liability of Rs 786 crore," he said.

He accused the previous UDF government of leaving a liability of Rs 263.49 crore as pending stipend through scholarships.

"Rs 263.49 crore is pending as stipend from last government's term. Rs 65.20 crore for Scheduled Caste (SC) students, Rs 138.3 crore for OEC, Rs 41.3 crore for the Socially and Economically Backward Community (SEBC) and Rs 18.69 crore for Other Backward Community (OBC)," he said.

He apprised the Centre about the liabilities of the state and sought assistance for the development of SC/ST communities.

During the press meet held at Kerala House here, Balan also said that during his earlier meeting with Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, the latter had asked the state to promote a port-based development for providing gas, shipping and other service-based projects.

Jaitley had also urged to boost tourism industry in the state by focusing on agro-based industries and health tourism, Balan said, adding that this will provide quality jobs in the state.

Balan, who was the Power Minister in the previous LDF government, reiterated that the apprehensions of the people regarding the Athirapilly hydropower project will be considered generously by the government before taking any decision.